Frank Reich is up for the task of solving Jets’ offensive puzzle

Joining the coaching staff of the Jets, who went 3-14 last season, might not seem like a very attractive proposition.

Frank Reich admits he’s different.

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Reich took the job of offensive coordinator with the team despite the team’s poor performance last season, the lack of a franchise quarterback and a 15-year playoff drought.

“Maybe I’m a little backwards, but that’s actually what attracts me,” Reich said on a video call with reporters Wednesday. “You know what I mean? How to figure it out. Take what looks on the surface like a difficult situation and figure out how to get it done, knowing that it can get done. That’s what I love about this business. It’s the best of the best. You’re with the best coaches and the best players in the world.”

Reich said where others saw limited talent, he saw positives starting with a solid offensive line and two building block skill players.

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“I could see from watching the tape very early on and just knowing my familiarity with some of the people here beforehand, knowing how good the offensive line looked, obviously, you got a running back and receiver in Garrett [Wilson] and Breece [Hall] that are really good players, a tight end room that’s very strong,” Reich said. “There was a lot to like about looking at this team, looking at this opportunity in front of us.”

The Jets were ranked 29th in points and yards per game last year. Coach Aaron Glenn wanted to bring in a veteran coach to oversee his offense after having a first-time coordinator do the job last year in Tanner Engstrand. Reich, who has been a head coach with the Colts and Panthers, brings a lot of experience and familiarity with Glenn. The two played together on the 1996 Jets and have stayed in touch throughout their coaching careers.

Reich is the fifth different offensive play-caller in five years for the Jets. They have not had an offensive coordinator make it three years on the job since Brian Schottenheimer was fired after the 2011 season.

Reich coached Stanford last year on an interim basis, partnering with his former Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Reich, 64, was then waiting for the right opportunity this year.

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“My mindset after Stanford was, honestly, Stanford kind of reenergized me for coaching,” Reich said. “It just reminded me of my love for the game, for the sport, for the purity of just coaching, being out on the field with the guys. And so, when I got back, I sat and talked with my wife and I said, ‘I’m not going to jump at anything, but if the right person calls and it’s the right place, I will go.’ And that was my mindset when I got back.

“You know, got a couple phone calls on a couple fronts that nothing moved the needle for me, but as soon as A.G. called, I knew right away this was something I wanted to do, mainly because of him, but also because of the challenge and the opportunity to be a part of a staff and be a part of a team and organization that has an opportunity to do something special and turn something around.

“At this point, I love that idea and I’m excited about that and I feel like I got something to offer and contribute to helping that happen.”

The Jets traded for Geno Smith in March to give Reich his quarterback, and he sounded excited to have Smith under center.

“I think he fits perfect,” Reich said. “I’ve liked Geno from Day 1. When he was coming out of West Virginia [in 2013], I had a high grade on Geno. I had not met Geno before here, and I’m kind of glad because I’m even more impressed with him now meeting him in person. I feel his resilience, his toughness, I always think the No. 1 attribute in any quarterback that you need, especially if you want to come and turn something around, is you need someone who’s tough. I mean tough mentally, tough physically, and I feel that from Geno on every front.